Chris Condren and Benjamin S. Saunier of Pierce Couch Hendrickson Baysinger & Green, L.L.P. in Oklahoma City, Okla., successfully defended an oilfield drilling rig moving company and gin pole truck driver in a significant injury accident case in Alva, Okla. After a three -day trial, the jury returned a verdict awarding no damages to the Plaintiff who had suffered a below-the-knee amputation of his leg in an accident which occurred at a drilling location in northwest Oklahoma.

The Plaintiff had incurred $200,000 in out-of-pocket expenses including lost wages and medical care and treatment. Plaintiff also presented a life-care plan for prosthetic limb replacement costs and medical treatment exceeding $300,000. Plaintiff’s total economic losses presented at trial were nearly $1,000,000.

The case involved safety and industry practice issues related to the tear down, transportation and rig up of land-based oil and gas drilling rigs. The case also involved issues of liability and immunities of multiple companies that are involved in the rig moving process.

The defense presented expert witness testimony as to oilfield practices and the necessity for workers on the ground to stay clear of the blind spots of large trucking equipment that is used for the purposes of moving the rig.

The Plaintiff’s request to the jury was for $3,000,000. The jury deliberated approximately two hours before arriving at its verdict denying Plaintiff any recovery. The jury verdict assigned 55% of the fault to the injured Plaintiff, 35% of the fault to the Plaintiff’s truck driver and 10% of the fault to the defendant driver represented by Mr. Condren and Mr. Saunier.